Prolight + Sound has further expanded its range of products and topics for the 2023 event. With the new Future Walk, the show has offered an interactive area with an experiential character, which has presented innovations around networked systems for event technology and broadcast applications.
The focus was on network-based processes that will permanently change the industry in the coming years: from remote production to device-independent workflows and on-demand infrastructures.
In addition, the Kamera Hub will celebrated its premiere at Prolight + Sound. It was a central contact point for TV cameramen, presents innovations in moving image production in specialised exhibitions and invites visitors to talks and workshops.
To realise the new special areas, Prolight + Sound cooperated intensively with partners from the industry. The Future Walk is being created under the professional direction of MakePro X, one of the leading suppliers of high-performance control consoles for media technology in the network age. Other partners and exhibitors in the area included key players and specialised suppliers such as ARRI, Broadcast Partners, Nebucast, Netorium, On Hertz, Panasonic, Teltec, Troikatronix, Universe and Zoom. The German Association of Camera Operators (BVFK) was responsible for the Kamera Hub.
Future Walk: How innovative AV media technology will revolutionise the industry
On more than 250 square metres, the area in Hall 11.0 offered five different stations where visitors could experience the systems distributed in the network in action. In addition, cross-system and cooperative networking was demonstrated at all stations: The participating companies made their components available directly via the network and provided in-depth insights into the functions, workflows and advantages of their solutions. The following stations were planned for the Future Walk:
- Network Distributed Media Processing: This station is dedicated to the combination of audio, video and human control interfaces with stream manipulation services in the network. It shows how monolithic solutions can be broken down into individual components and reassembled in the network to provide optimal control.
- Device Independent Workflow: Less complexity and more user-friendliness: With the Multi Target Control Layer, operators experience maximum ease of use. The station shows how different solutions can be integrated into a single, device-independent user interface and thus controlled and monitored with reduced effort.
- Hybrid Events and Remote Production: Using IP-based networks instead of wired connections, the components of a system can be controlled from anywhere. The station shows innovative approaches to increase the interaction of participants, reduce transport and travel costs and optimise job satisfaction.
- On-Demand Infrastructure & Service: More and more on-demand services are conquering the market and offer an alternative to traditional hardware purchases. The investment in physical devices is thus giving way to licensing models. At this station, visitors learn how they can increase their cost transparency and test new, professional solutions without a long-term commitment.
- Interactive Stage and Mixed Reality Studio: The use of VR technologies blurs real and virtual worlds and opens up stunning new fields of application in film and events. The station presents ground-breaking control systems that bring the stage to life and enable realistic 3D simulations in the style of the holodeck known from Star Trek.
The solutions presented at the various stations culminated in the Future Walk Livestream. It is produced by Nebucast, partner of the Future Walk. Every day, interesting content such as demos, interviews, performances and technological deep dives could be experienced here. In addition, visitors to Prolight + Sound could be present during the production of the stream, look over the team's shoulder and gather inspiration for innovative video applications.
Kamera Hub: Product overview and expert knowledge for TV professionals
With the new Special Area in Hall 11.0, Prolight + Sound is giving moving-image production a home. The centrepiece of the area was the Look of the Future exhibition, where TV professionals could get an overview of new camera models for use in TV productions as well as innovative LED lighting solutions.
Also part of the Kamera Hub was the Speakers Area. Here, expert talks on industry-relevant topics were held daily. The programme included lectures on innovative technologies in the TV sector, the job profile of TV camera operators as well as occupational health and safety. There were workshops on make-up, camera and lighting for HD productions. Sustainable solutions in TV operations were highlighted. Also part of the programme was a workshop that demonstrates the interaction of make-up with camera and light. Here, visitors could also act as models themselves and receive a professional make-up from renowned artist Nicole Stoewesand.
Representatives of numerous industry-relevant associations and organisations participated in the BVFK programme, including the German Make-up Artists Association (BVM), the Association of Independent Service Providers in the Event Industry (ISDV), the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) and the Rundfunk Pension Fund. The programme will take place in German language. In the product exhibition, visitors will experience the latest products from renowned companies such as Canon, Dedo-Weigert-Film, ETC, Fiilex, Lightpower, Panasonic, ProLycht, Rosco, Sigma, Sony, Sumolight, Teltec and Video-Machinery. In addition, the Kamera Hub was home to the exhibition stand of the BVFK and its members.
Prolight + Sound: Leading European Trade Show for Entertainment Technology
For 28 years, Prolight + Sound has presented all the new trends and technologies for spectacular events and productions. Hundreds of companies from all parts of the world present their solutions from lighting and audio to studio and broadcast to AV media technology as well as event services from 25 to 28 April. Especially in the field of theatre and stage technology, the event has developed into Europe’s biggest meeting place.
In addition, there is an extensive programme of further training on several lecture stages. The focus is on new technologies and fields of application as well as cross-sectoral topics such as personnel development, sustainability and gender equality in the event and entertainment industry.
